The agricultural highlight of the year runs over Friday and Saturday on the Fair City’s South Inch.

And the showpiece promises to shine the spotlight on the region’s large farming sector, with a variety of horses, donkeys, goats, cattle and sheep expected to be on display.

Almost 1600 head of livestock are scheduled to compete in 340 different classes over the two-day farming spectacular.

As well as the many livestock competitions, Perth Show will also play host to the Highland Cattle Gathering and the Scottish National Simmental Show, which is celebrating its 10th anniversary.

Peter Stewart (show chairman) and John Ritchie (vice-president)

Show secretary Neil Forbes said: “There will be judging all day throghout the weekend. We have good entry numbers and a very high standard of entries into the competitions this year.

“Getting the Highland Cattle Gathering and the National Simmental Show is quite a big deal for us.

“The Simmental show has been with us twice already and this is the third time it will be in Perth and celebrating its 10th anniversary.

“The Highland cattle show will be great as well. They’ve put a lot of effort into this. There will be 91 Highland cattle on display which will be quite a spectacle, along with all the other beef breeds.”

The 155th show also promises to delight with its many donkey competitions.

Neil continued: “The donkeys are celebrating their centenary at Perth Show. This will be a very prestigious show and we have a lot of donkeys coming in this year.”

The competition highlight will be the crowning of the champion of champions, which this year will be judged by Coupar Angus’ John Morrison, vice-president of the show, who has a long and respected history with sheep and cattle breeding.

Other show highlights include trade stands, music and entertainment, including the grand parade in the main arena.

Neil added: “The grand parade sees all the groups of animals and it usually fills the main ring completely with all the breeds.

“The champion of champions competition is very prestigious and it will be followed by the grand parade, which in my mind is the most spectacular part of the show. The crowd love the grand parade.”

The weekend festivities will also see the return of the popular Perthshire On A Plate food festival, including live demonstrations from celebrity chefs.

Show organisers getting ready for the Perth Show

Neil continued: “We have a great food and drink pavilion this year with Perthshire On A Plate and a kitchen theatre with Jean-Christophe Novelli and Nick Nairn, supported by a number of local chefs.

“There will be a lot of local competitions in the kitchen tent, the craft tent is completely full and we are looking forward to seeing the SWI ladies’ section. It’s going to be very busy.”

The show will conclude with the Young Farmers’ tug-o-war competition and a Ceilidh In The Park.

Neil said: “The ground at the moment is softish but we’ve been keeping as much traffic off it as possible and only letting essential traffic on to the Inch. It’s generally looking in a good condition.

“We are looking for sunshine on both days. There may be a small shower on the Saturday but hopefully it will pass.”

A secret team challenge will feature at this year’s show.

While all the details are being kept under wraps, teams of four can enter the competition for £50 and all the money made from this competition will be split between Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance and the Royal Highland Education Trust.